The memorandum of understanding, which did not specify the size or value of the exports, was part of an agreement between Wen and his Thai counterpart Yingluck Shinawatra to expand economic ties between the two countries.

"There's no precise timeframe or quantity because China did not want to be specific," said Thai government spokesman Tosaporn Sererak.

As a first step, 10 Chinese companies signed eight contracts to buy a total of 260,000 tonnes of rice, he said.

A controversial scheme introduced by Yingluck to boost farmer incomes has hit the competitiveness of Thai rice shipments.

The kingdom, which is set to lose its rank as the world's top rice exporter this year, produces about 20 million tonnes of the grain annually on average, about half of which is normally sold overseas.

This year, however, exports are expected to reach only about 6.5 million tonnes, according to the US Department of Agriculture.

The government says it is confident it can find buyers on world markets at a price that will raise the living standards of its farmers.

During Wen's visit, Thailand also invited Chinese investors to participate in projects including the Dawei deep sea port being jointly developed with Myanmar as well as in areas such as rubber processing, flood prevention and high-speed rail.

Thanksgiving turkeys in genetic studyWashington (UPI) Nov 20, 2012
The domestic turkeys that will grace Thanksgiving dinner tables across the United States are genetically distinct from their wild ancestors, researchers say.
All commercial turkey lines descend from a South Mexican turkey subspecies that is extinct in the wild, but they show less genetic diversity than their forbears, they said.
"Ancient turkeys weren't your Butterball," said Rob ... read more

The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2012 - Space Media Network. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA Portal Reports are copyright European Space Agency.
All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. Privacy Statement